The Stand, Part I: The Plague

[An isolation-suited Dr. Dietz enters Stu's room with a small animal cage.]

Dr. Dietz:
I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. Meet Geraldo.

Stu Redman:
Geraldo, huh?

Dr. Dietz:
Um-hmm. Now, the virus your fellow townspeople contracted passes easily from human to guinea pig, and vice-versa, presumably. But Geraldo has been breathing your air, via convector, for the last three days. And Geraldo is fine and frisky, as you see. I'd call that rather comforting, wouldn't you?

Stu Redman:
I see you're not taking any chances.

Dr. Dietz:
That's not in my contract. However, it does appear there is absolutely nothing wrong with you, Mr. Redman. Or, may I call you "Stu"?

Stu Redman:
Just don't call me Geraldo.

. . .

Dr. Dietz:
All right, now, you listen up! I'm not responsible for you being here, or for the dead people in your home town. Neither is Denninger, or the nurses who come in to take your blood pressure.

Stu Redman:
Then who is?

Dr. Dietz:
No one. Everyone. God. Who knows?

. . .

[Stu starts coughing, causing Dietz et al. to scramble to leave the room.]

Stu Redman:
Dietz! Calm down. I was just faking.

Dr. Dietz:
Why… why would you do a thing like that?

Stu Redman:
You talk about this thing in here like you were outside of it. I just wanted you to get a little taste of what it's like on the inside. How'd you like it?

Dr. Dietz:
You stupid son of a bitch!

[Stu laughs]